Myron Dewar hopes to lead Coral Springs boys’ basketball to first state final appearance

Maybe it’s his old-school game. Maybe it’s because Coral Springs isn’t a perennial state power. Whatever the reason, underrated Colts senior Myron Dewar uses the snub of scouting gurus to show up his star rivals.

Despite averaging 22 points and eight rebounds per game last season, Dewar, a four-year starter and all-time scoring leader in Coral Springs’ 40-year history is nowhere to be found on any of the major recruiting lists.

“I play with a chip on my shoulder,” Dewar said. “I look forward to matchups against high-profile players a lot. I feel like I am better than this kid, so I have to beat everybody who is ranked higher than me.”

The edge Dewar plays with permeates through a Coral Springs team that could carry its underdog banner all the way to its first state final appearance.

In Dewar, who looks more suited as a rugged, 6-3 linebacker, Colts coach Devin Barta has the ideal player to help the Colts make history.

Dewar gives the Colts versatility to play three positions, including point guard, where he can bully his way to the basket.

Although Dewar hasn’t gotten the accolades of his more touted counterparts he is as good as any closing out games with his scoring or play-making.

“Myron’s got a big body, almost like a football player, but surprises how he can put the ball in the basket.” Barta said. “He can score on smaller players or get by slower players. When he has that look in his eyes the team plays at a different energy level. He is the team leader. The other guys feed off him and look to him.”

This is the now-or-never season for the Colts, who feature Dewar and rising 6-7 forward Jonado Fils among their 11 seniors.

Coral Springs is looking to bounce back from a season ago when it was supposed to take the next step after an improbable run to the 2013-14 regional finals. Instead, the Colts finished a disappointing 12-12 after fizzling in a first-round loss to arch-rival Deerfield Beach in the district playoffs.

The early exit was nothing short of a shock to a Barta-coached team that prides itself on mental toughness and wearing opponents down with defense.

“I think some of our players were basking in the prior year’s accomplishments,” Barta said. “We went from the hunter to the hunted. I don’t t think we played with a sense of urgency or desperation. I feel now with a senior-laden group, we are like an animal backed into a corner. We have to bring it every night.”

Dewar has crafted an old-school game based on fundamentals, savvy and keeping opponents off-balance.

A lightning-quick first step helps Dewar get in the teeth of the defense to make plays. Speaking to his versatility, Dewar is equally efficient working out of the post where his strength, leverage and guile allow him to score against bigger players.

“I think I can play every position — I’ll do whatever it takes,” Dewar said. “Almost every night we are going to be undersized, so sometimes I have to defend the other team’s post players. A lot of teams don’t respect us, so I let my team know. If we all don’t play hard, we are going to get bullied all game.”